198 New Archaeological Sites Added to National Antiquities Register

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the addition of 198 new archaeological sites to the National Antiquities Register, bringing the total number of registered sites in the Kingdom to 9,317.

The newly registered sites span several regions across the Kingdom, with the Hail region leading the way with 50 newly documented sites. Makkah follows closely with 39 sites, and Qassim ranks third with 34 sites. Other regions, including Al-Jouf, Madinah and Tabuk, contributed additional sites, with smaller numbers also added from Riyadh, Jazan, Asir, Najran, Northern Borders and the Eastern Province.

The registration of these sites is part of the Saudi Heritage Commission’s ongoing efforts to protect the Kingdom’s cultural landmarks and raise public awareness about the historical importance of these sites. The Commission’s work is governed by the Antiquities and Urban Heritage Law, which ensures that historically and culturally significant sites are properly documented and protected.

The Saudi Heritage Commission emphasized the importance of these new registrations, noting that they will provide researchers, historians, and cultural experts with valuable data about the locations and contents of Saudi Arabia’s heritage sites. The initiative is also designed to encourage scientific studies on the Kingdom's history and promote the global recognition of its cultural assets.

In an effort to further protect Saudi Arabia's archaeological sites, the Heritage Commission has called on citizens and expatriates to report any new discoveries or illegal activities that could affect the integrity of these important locations. The public can report such incidents through the Commission’s official social media platforms, the Balagh platform, or by contacting the Unified Security Operations Center at 911.